How to Insure Your Watch Collection

A watch is easy to lose and expensive to replace, so insurance is worth considering as soon as your collection has real value. Standard home insurance often has low limits on jewellery and watches, so check yours first.

Read the policy for single-item limits, the total limit for valuables and any exclusions. Many policies cover watches at home but not away from it, or exclude loss and accidental damage. If a watch is worth more than the single-item limit, it needs to be listed separately.

Specialist jewellery and watch insurers offer cover for theft, loss, accidental damage and sometimes worldwide travel. They typically ask for a valuation or proof of purchase, and they may offer agreed-value cover, where you are paid the amount you both agreed in advance.

Documentation is vital. Keep the receipts, warranty cards, box and papers, serial numbers and good photos of each watch from several angles. Our collection tracker lets you record purchase details in one place, and you can export the list for your insurer.

Keep valuations up to date. Prices for desirable watches can rise and fall, so a valuation from several years ago may be wrong, and under-insuring leaves you short. A professional appraisal every few years is sensible for valuable pieces.

Security reduces risk and sometimes lowers your premium. A safe, a decent lock and discretion about your collection are worth more than any policy. Finally, report any loss to the police straight away and tell your insurer.